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There's something magical about books which take a whole year to read. By this, of course, I don't mean tomes of novels, in which we may lose interest before we finish. Rather, the books which we can dip into from month to month, or as the season changes. Books which offer instruction, advice, or simply encourage us to reflect throughout the year.

Such books are often most popular in the run-up to Christmas, as they are presented prominently on bookshop displays enticing customers to purchase these lovely pages as gifts for loved ones to enjoy. By January, they are all-too-frequently shelved again, as though their contents matter less once the tinsel and baubles have been taken down.

I disagree. Such delights can and should be enjoyed no matter what the season. Such books may live atop our bedside table or the sideboard shelf, opened frequently so they do not gather dust. With renewed pleasure as weeks pass, since what seemed irrelevant in the colder days matters much more when the first buds of spring emerge, or the falling leaves of autumn grace out gardens.

My list is by no means complete. What follows is a selection of books I myself have found interesting, and which I hope will satisfy a multitude of tastes and pleasures. Finding such titles without prior knowledge of their existence has proved a little difficult, so please feel free to tell me of your own favourite "yearlong" reads in the comments below so we can share with others looking for such books.

Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden



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A post shared by Holly Grace Levell🌻🕯✨ (@hollygracelevell) on Dec 10, 2017 at 2:28pm PST


What a beautiful and illuminating book this is! As the title suggests, it is a facsimile of the country diary produced by Edith Holden in 1909, written in her own hand and accompanied by glorious watercolour images of the flora and fauna she observed around her home in the Midlands. The book is divided into months, with the start of each chapter punctuated by a interesting anecdotes, etymology and poems.

The photograph above (by Holly Grace Levell, via Instagram) is intended to offer an insight into the gorgeously decorated pages. Although among the most expensive titles in this list, it is truly a delight to own (particularly the most recent reproduction), and you may well find a secondhand copy for a bargain price.

The Almanac by Lia Leendertz


This is a beautifully illustrated almanac which aims to provide a seasonal guide to he year and help us connect with the natural world.

Lia Leendertz is an award winning writer on food and gardening who has published in the Guardian and Telepgraph newspapers, in addition to her long-running column for The Simple Things magazine. Her 2019 almanac follows on from the success of last year's, which revitalized the almanac tradition for a new audience. It partly follows the pattern of the old rural almanac - sunrise and sunset tables for the whole year, tide timetables, moon phases and information on the sky at night - but also features seasonal recipes, folk stories and songs, a peek inside the beehive each month, a seasonal cheese of the month, and the names of each month in all of the languages of the British Isles. It is a celebration of the British year in nature, and a joy to own!

I am the Seed that Grew into a Tree - National Trust


Although I discovered several volumes of daily poetry while researching this article, this is the book which stands out!

Marketed as a children's book, it has won the Waterstone's award for the best children's gift book in 2018, but is equally endearing for adults to read too.

Fully illustrated throughout, this gorgeous volume collects 366 poems inspired by nature, from historical to modern-day poets, including: John Agard, William Blake, Emily Bronte, Charles Causley, Walter de la Mare, Emily Dickinson, Carol Ann Duffy, Eleanor Farjeon, Robert Frost, Thomas Hardy, Roger McGough, Christina Rossetti, William Shakespeare, John Updike, William Wordsworth and many more.

It's a wonderful investment to share with your family, whether you choose to read a poem before bed in the evening, or simply dip into throughout the year.


Sweet Peas for Summer - How to Create a Garden in a Year by Laetitia Maklouf


The seasoned gardeners among you will be aware of the myriad of books to help you through the year. Sadly, my fingers are far from green, so when browsing for content I was thrilled to learn that Laetitia Maklouf had written a sequel to The Virgin Gardener (Glamumous review here) which is delightful!

Maklouf's style of writing is truly accessible to those of us who know little of gardening.In Sweet Peas for Summer, she takes us through the process of creating a garden which can be enjoyed year-round, including projects to make with your home-grown plants and planting ideas for every personality type.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music for Every Day by Clemency Burton-Hill


Clemency Burton-Hill had the wonderful idea of assigning a piece of classical music for every day of the year, complemented by enthusiastic descriptions of her choices and a little background about each composer.

This is ideal for anyone who would like to learn more about classical music, and from the reviews I've read on Amazon, it appears that seasoned enthusiasts enjoy new discoveries too! To accompany the book, you can find playlists on Spotify or Apple Music in order to avoid sourcing 365 separate downloads.

A Year of Reading Aloud by Georgina Rodgers


I discovered this gem on the inspiration shelf at my local library. Obviously the beautiful cover caught my eye, but upon reading the description I realised this stood apart from the other "year of poetry" books I'd looked at in it's premise.

Rogers created this book to help us revive the lost art of reading aloud, and the learning of poetry by heart. Perhaps many of my generation remember having been "forced" to learn a poem or two at school, wondering why our teachers encouraged us to experience such a seemingly pointless exercise. The fact is, reading aloud has hidden benefits: it strengthens the mind, boosts creativity and improves our working memory.

Give it a try and see for yourself! And if you disagree, at least you'll have a beautiful book with which to decorate your shelves...

The Harvard Classics in a Year: A Liberal Education in 365 Days


I hope you may forgive this shameless self-promotion once you realise what a fantastic tome this is!

The Harvard Classics in a Year aims to provide a whirlwind tour of classic literature. By reading for just 15 minutes a day throughout the year, you can discover text from “twelve main divisions of knowledge” including History, Poetry, Natural Science, Philosophy, Biography, Prose Fiction, Criticism and the Essay, Education, Political Science, Drama, Voyages and Travel and Religion. Each reading is framed by an introduction, a context in which the text can be read and understood, often with insightful information about the author, it's wider history, or why that particular selection is appropriate reading for that day.

Available only in digital format, this is a mammoth book which will most certainly see you through a whole year of bedtime reading - all for less than a cup of takeaway coffee!


Girl for All Seasons (A Year in High Heels) by Camilla Morton


Camilla Morton's sequel to her bestselling "How to Walk in High Heels" is a book I've featured before on Glamumous. Despite being published twelve years ago, I still find it relevant and inspiring.

The Year in High Heels is much more about experiences than fashion and beauty - though of course Morton will assure you that you can do it all with style!

The book is divided into twelve months, each featuring fun essays, a set of challenges and a suggested read for your book club. Many guest authors have contributed, including Manolo Blahnik and Dita von Tease. Combined with Morton's witty prose, this is a great book to dip into throughout a glamorous year.

French Women For All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes & Pleasure by Mireille Guilliano


By the author of French Women Don't Get Fat, this is a wonderful book of seasonal recipes and simple pleasures.

Mireille Guilliano encourages us to eat for pleasure, to savour our food while also (miraculously) maintaining a healthy weight. Far more than a simple book of recipes, this title encourages to examine how we live, and to take simple pleasure in our lives. I rather enjoy re-reading Guilliano's outlook throughout the changing seasons.

A Calendar of Wisdom by Leo Tolstoy



During the final 15 or so years of his life, Leo Tolstoy collected and published the maxims of some of the world's greatest masters of philosophy, religion and literature, adding his own contributions to various questions that preoccupied him in old age, such as faith and existence, as well as matters of everyday life.

Originally, this book was banned in Tolstoy's native communist Russia. Although his last major work, this book proved popular both during and after his lifetime, offering readers a daily delve into the thoughts and writings which had influenced him so greatly.

This version was originally translated into English and printed during the 1970's, and resurrected in the current format just a few years ago. It's a lovely book to dip in and out of, or to read first thing in the morning as brain-fodder for the day ahead.

What are your favourite year-round books?

This selection provides just a few of the "year-round" books I discovered while researching for this article, though I will say they are my favourites (I own almost all of them, and have borrowed the others!). Have I missed your favourite title? Please feel free to leave your own comments and suggestions below.


Header image credit: David Morgan, via Flickr.
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What better way to encourage your children to read daily than providing them with a cute reading log?

I designed this “Woodland Hipster” themed reading log a few years ago for my daughter, it was originally published on my Pretty Books website, but I thought Glamumous readers may enjoy it too. This design uses clipart by Clementine Digitals @ Etsy.com.

The log was designed to be printed on A4 paper in booklet format, and includes plenty of space for your children to write about their daily reading habits, plus space for reflection at the weekend. There’s an optional bookmark and pocket for the back page.

Here's some more pictures from my Instagram feed:



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A post shared by Glamumous (@glamumous) on Mar 12, 2019 at 5:07am PDT


You will need:

  • A4 sized paper and cardstock
  • Scissors or a craft knife and ruler
  • Glue
  • (Optional) Corner punch

To print and assemble:

  1. Download the free PDF
  2. Print pages 1-2 on a single sheet of A4 cardstock (print on both sides). This will form the “cover” of your reading record.
  3. Print pages 3-8 on both sides of A4 printer paper (the inner pages).
  4. Fold the cover and sheets in half, and assemble. Staple together along the fold (or stitch if you prefer).
  5. Finally, print page 9 on a single side of thin card stock (this is the sheet for the bookmark and inner pocket). Cut out the bookmark and (if desired) round corners with a corner punch.
  6. Cut around the pocket, score along the flap lines and fold inwards. Use glue or double sided tape to stick the pocket inside the rear cover of your reading record.
  7. Feel free to download, print and share with anyone you think might enjoy using a reading record!  I’m happy for you to share an image or two on your own website, but please direct people here to download the file (rather than hosting the PDF on your own site).


Download the Free Kids Reading Log Printable Here
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If you have a child of school age, it's most likely that you've heard of World Book Day! On Thursday March 7th, social media will be inundated with pictures of children dressed as their favourite fictional characters, while schools will be devising new and interesting ways to encourage a love of reading for their students.

There are loads of ideas for dressing up, including instructions for how to achieve these costumes, over on the World Book Day website. Most of these don't require you to buy anything new or specific, perhaps just a printable or two and a little imagination.


Alternatively, this brilliant list of "no stress" World Book Day costumes by Artventurers may help you find something fast and fabulous - even if it's at the last minute!



World Book Day isn't just about dressing up though! By fostering a love of reading from an early age, we can ensure that our children:

  • Experience sufficient mental stimulation, which is proven to reduce the likelihood of dementia and Alzheimer’s in later life
  • Have reduced stress levels
  • Broaden their knowledge (including emotional intelligence)
  • Expand their vocabulary
  • Improve their memory
  • Develop stronger analytical thinking skills
  • Improve focus and concentration
  • Develop better writing skills

Since it's inception in 1995, World Book Day has developed a huge resource bank of activities, downloads and events to engage a young audience. Why not try one of the following ideas with your children on Thursday?

Attend a local event

Bookstores and supermarkets and attractions across the country have planned child-friendly events for World Book Day. From family art activities to reading rare books in a museum, find out what's happening in your area by searching on the WBD events page.

Host a Big Booky Breakfast

If your children will be at school on World Book Day, celebrate at breakfast time and help raise much needed funds for Book Aid International! 

If you're stuck for ideas, you can find a free resource pack on the Book Aid International website, plus loads of videos, printables and recommendations. 

Just £2 will help send a book to children who may otherwise never hold a book in their hands. 

Watch an author or illustrator masterclass

The World Book Day team has created 12 free films to help inspire children of all ages, with a key focus on reading, writing, illustrating and creativity. Featuring brilliant content from Lauren Child, Malorie Blackman, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Sibéal Pounder, Jeff Kinney and Chris Riddell, each video is accompanied by free resources to help continue learning after the end credits. 

Find these on the World Book Day Masterclasses page.

Watch the BBC Live Lesson


At 2pm on World Book Day, the BBC will screen a "live lesson" for World Book Day, which will be available to view afterwards on the website. It's aimed at primary school-aged children, though there are other related "lessons" already available on the website suitable for older children and parents. 

Learn more by visiting the BBC Live Lessons page.

Design a National Book Token


Encourage your children to take part in the Design a National Book Token competition to be in with a chance of winning hundreds of pounds worth of books!

The theme of this year's competition is "Share a Story". A panel of judges will select a winner and runner-up in each of three age categories: up to 8 years, 9-12 years and 13-16 years.

For more information and to download the template, visit this page on the World Book Day website.

Find reading recommendations and share a story!

Reading should not be confined to World Book Day, instead it can be a way of spending quality time with your children. And while bedtime stories are wonderful, there are many more ways of sharing a story with our young ones. 

To be inspired about what to read next, take a look at the huge list of reading recommendations on this page of the WBD site - there's something for all ages and every taste here!

Then join the campaign to get the nation sharing stories from breakfast to bedtime. There are dozens of resources here, from printable reading records to guides for parents, posters and more. You should also check out the ideas section which includes resources for the Big Book Off challenge.

How are you celebrating World Book Day this year?

Have you been inspired to create an event of your own, or will the stress of creating a costume be enough? Please feel free share your comments and experiences below.
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Happy White Rabbi Day lovely readers! For me, the first of March signals the dawn of a new season. Here in the UK, a week of balmy weather has made it feel as though Spring has started already (though this time last year, we were almost knee-deep in snow!). The high street is already displaying it's Spring and Summer wares, while snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils are peeking their colourful heads above ground.

Speaking of daffodils... Today is Saint David's Day, the patron saint of Wales. It's said that Saint David lived for over 100 years, and performed several miraculous feats, including raising the ground he was standing on into a hill so that he people listening to him speak could hear more clearly.

Here's what else we can look forward to this month:

5th March - Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)

Shrove Tuesday marks the start of Lent: the 40 days before Easter when traditionally Christians would fast. On this day, eggs, butter and stocks of fat were used up to ensure no temptations were present in the larder. Originating before the 16th century, the tradition has remained with us in England and evolved into Pancake Day when we look forward to enjoying the sweet (or savoury) treat!

Credit: Irene Mai

7th March - World Book Day

The first Thursday of March is the date we celebrate World Book Day here in the UK. It is a day when we celebrate the written word and encourage literacy, particularly for our children.

I'll be working on a post about this over the weekend, but in the meantime check out the World Book Day website to learn more.

8th March - International Women's Day

International women's Day has been celebrated across the world on March 8th since women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917. On this day, we celebrate the amazing social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women, while campaigning for greater progress towards gender equality.

This year's campaign theme is #BalanceForBetter. As explained on the official website:
From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence.
We're all encouraged to post our #IWD2019 message on social media with our "hands out" balance pose for a strong call-to-action for others to also help forge a #BalanceforBetter.

For more information and to see what events are happening near you, be sure to check out the official International Women's Day website.

18th March - Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland, who - according to legend - rid Ireland of snakes. Once a traditional feast day, it has evolved into a celebratory day where people around the world wear green or attend gatherings to eat Irish food and drinks.

31st March - British Summer Time begins!

At 1am, we'll turn our clocks forward one hour and lament the hour we'll miss in bed... Bu since it's the official start of Summer, we have a lot to look forward to!

Credit: Tristan Martin


What are you looking forward to celebrating in March? Please feel free to leave your comments below.


Credits: Header image: ausey00, via Flickr. 
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